Heavy rains triggered landslides at different parts of Central Kerala claiming at least 15 lives and leaving eight injured on Monday. Three people died in a landslide at Cheeyappara in Idukki while two drowned in separate incidents at Perumbavoor and Mavelikkara. Three others, including a one-and-a-half year-old, died in other rain-related incidents in Thodupuzha.
A general alert has been sounded in the wake of the heavy downpour that has been lashing the state since Sunday and tourists have been advised against travelling to hillstations for the next couple of days. Of the 15 deaths, eight were reported on Monday alone.
Tragedy struck Cheeyappara when rescue operations were going on after an early morning landslide at 5.30 pm. A more fierce second one pounded around 9.30 am killing three rescue workers. Mud, rock and water fell over the vehicles parked along the roadside. Ten others are believed to be trapped under the rubble.
The deceased are Rajan, 38, the driver of Devikulam tahsildar, Joby, 40, from Thoppumkudi and eight-year-old Jibin Jose from Palakkad.
In the other incident, three persons identified as Thankachan, 38, from Thodupuzha, Beena, 30 from Udumbannur, Thodupuzha, and her one-and-a-half year-old son Aditya lost their lives.
V K Balakrishnan, 60, from Kodanadu drowned in the Periyar while in Mavelikkara a woman identified as Janaki 60, of Chirayil House, Chennithala drowned.
Seven persons who died on Sunday have been identified as Pappachan, 76, Kanjithanni, Idukki; wife Thankamani, 68; Josmi Jose, 17 Thodupuzha; Jyotsna Jose, 13; Annamma Poulose, 60, Udumbanchola; Sharada, 55, Udumbannur; and Babu alias Joseph, 55, Thodupuzha.
Rescue operations are on at Cheeyampara where two consecutive landslips wreaked havoc. According to police and eyewitnesses, more people are suspected to be trapped under the debris.